The team of drivers for the 2015 DTM season continues to take shape at Mercedes-Benz. 20-year-old Austrian Lucas Auer will make his DTM debut for the brand with the three-pointed star this coming season.
Auer is the second new addition to the driver line-up at Mercedes-Benz this year. Just like Maximilian Götz, the Austrian has also utilised Mercedes power in the past, but while Götz found his way into the DTM via the SLS AMG GT3 and the AMG Customer Sports Programme, Auer will be switching from the FIA Formula 3 European Championship to the Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM.
During the past two years, Auer has lined up for Prema Powerteam and Mücke Motorsport, running the Mercedes-Benz Formula 3 engine. He won a total of four races, secured 22 podiums and twice finished fourth in the drivers’ standings of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. He also took second place at the prestigious Macau Grand Prix during the 2014 season.
Auer was invited to attend a DTM test in the Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM last December 2014 as a reward for his performance in Formula 3. The Austrian is the 17th driver to join the DTM after competing with a Mercedes-Benz engine in Formula 3.
Lucas Auer: “Joining the DTM is an important step in my career. I’m very proud to be part of the Mercedes family. Testing towards the end of last year in Jerez de la Frontera was a fantastic experience. I can’t wait to get back in the car and continue preparations for my DTM debut. I would never have thought it a year ago. I realise that it won’t be an easy task. The DTM is a top-class racing series with formidable opponents, but I’m willing to learn and ready to embark on this adventure. I intend to grab this chance at Mercedes Benz with both hands.”
Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport: “Lucas Auer has earned this opportunity with his performance in recent years. Our involvement in Formula 3 has enabled many drivers in the past to show that they are ready for the DTM, including Christian Vietoris and Pascal Wehrlein. We are continuing with our philosophy of giving young racing talent a chance to move up to the DTM and it is now apparent that both the Customer Sports Programme and Formula 3 can lead to that objective, as evidenced by Maximilian Götz and Lucas Auer. It’s all down in the end to the driver’s strength of purpose, his level of commitment and performance.”
